The Sharks had been looking for a veteran defenseman. Now they are also in the market for a chief executive officer.

Greg Jamison unexpectedly announced Wednesday that he is stepping down as president and CEO of Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, the parent group for San Jose's only major pro sports team and a significant presence on the South Bay concert scene as the operator of HP Pavilion.

A successor was not named, but the search will include in-house candidates as well as outsiders. Jamison will remain part of the ownership group and continue to represent San Jose on the NHL board of governors.

Jamison ruled out health issues or the need to spend more time with his family -- "I spend time with my family now," he said -- as the reasons behind the move, which takes effect Oct. 1. Instead, he explained, the timing of his decision has more to do with the fact he turned 60 on June 15.

"This idea of stepping away and really reflecting a little bit, I'm actually looking forward to it," Jamison said of his plan to take a year or so off. "I've been working 38 years and very rarely have had any break in 38 years. "... I'm looking forward to not doing anything. Will I be able to do that forever? Of course not. Sixty is a lot younger than it used to be."

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Jamison had an NBA background before joining the Sharks' front office in 1993, but he said there was no connection between his departure and the pending change of ownership for the Golden State Warriors that will lead to management changes.

"That did not enter into the thinking. I know Joe Lacob," Jamison said, referring to one of the new Warriors owners. "But I haven't talked to Joe, and I don't have any anticipation of talking to him."

The Sharks announced they have not begun the process of finding a successor to Jamison, who will remain as part of the ownership group and continue to represent San Jose on the NHL board of governors. He also will continue as president of the Sharks Foundation.

Jamison became president of the Sharks in 1996, and he immediately fired pro personnel director Chuck Grillo in order to streamline an awkward and ineffective management structure.

By 2002, Jamison had put together the present ownership group at the request of George Gund, who was looking to sell the team while making sure it remained in San Jose. Jamison and former mayor Tom McEnery rounded up local investors with a later infusion of capital from German high-tech businessman Hasso Plattner.

Under Jamison's leadership, SVSE has responsibility for managing all activity at the arena and has expanded its business side to include Strikeforce Mixed Martial Arts and tennis tournaments, as well as the operation of three ice rinks in the Bay Area.

By most measures, the Sharks are considered one of the NHL's model franchises in a nontraditional market, reaching the playoffs 11 of the past 13 years while playing before capacity crowds. And HP Pavilion consistently has ranked among the top five North American venues based on ticket sales for nonsporting-related events.

Despite that, Jamison has said each season that the team has not turned a profit. Wednesday he said that also was the case in 2009-10, despite the fact San Jose reached the third round of the playoffs.

"I think everybody's comfortable with it," Jamison said when asked to gauge the ownership group's reaction to the annual losses.

"But I do think as we move forward, there's going to be great hope and belief in a new collective bargaining agreement that might have a more positive impact," he added, echoing statements made in 2005 about the current CBA.

Jamison held a morning staff meeting at HP Pavilion to announce his decision, then headed to Sharks Ice, where several players have been skating in anticipation of the opening of training camp in two weeks.

"I've probably gotten to know him better than most guys, because I've been here longer. I've seen what he does behind the scenes," forward Patrick Marleau said. "Everything really does run smoothly in the organization, and that shows how many hours he puts in. He does a great job of making everybody feel comfortable and that they have want they need."